Accessible Sports

Challenger Baseball is an adaptive baseball league for anyone with a physical disability, an intellectual disability, a cognitive delay, or a developmental disability.

Challenger Baseball creates a support network and community of peers and adults to support, encourage, and challenge athletes to step out of their comfort zone

Contact: Tyler - tamcdoug@lakeheadu.ca 

The Dynamite Cheer Dreamers is the first and only special needs cheerleading team in Thunder Bay! This team is for girls and boys of all ages. The Dreamers can be seen performing in all local competitions!

Contact: Lorena - dynamitecheer2010@gmail.com 

Website: https://dynamitecheer.weebly.com/dreamers.html

Wheelchair curling is an adaptation of curling for athletes with a disability affecting their lower limbs or gait.

• Wheelchair curling is played with the same rocks and on the same ice as standard curling, though the rocks are thrown from a stationary wheelchair and there is no sweeping.
• Rocks may be thrown by hand while leaning over the side of the wheelchair, or pushed by a delivery stick.
• The delivery stick is a pole with a bracket that fits over the rock handle, allowing the rock to be pushed while applying correct rotation.

Contact: Gino Sonego - aurora.gino@tbaytel.net 

Venue: Fort William Curling Club

Goal Ball is a team sport designed specifically for athletes with a vision impairment.

• Goal Ball is Paralympic sport and is easily learned and played by people of all ages and abilities. 
• To play, both teams are blindfolded at either end of a court, and roll a ball with a belll in it back and forth across the court. 
• If you get it past the other team’s end line, you get a point!

• All equipment is provided - all you need are indoor shoes and the willingness to try!
• Learn the rules of the Goalball on Wikipedia.  
• Get involved.

Contact: Taryn Klarner - tklarner@lakeheadu.ca or 343-8010 ext 7190

Sledge Hockey, also known as Para ice hockey, is an adaptation of ice hockey designed for players who have a lower-body impairment.

Sledge hockey is played under similar rules to standard ice hockey, players are seated on sleds and use special hockey sticks with metal "teeth" on the tips of their handles to navigate the ice. Playing venues use an ice hockey rink.

Sledge Public Skate sessions happen at the Fort William Gardens from 7:00pm - 8:30pm dates TBD

All participants are required to wear a CSA approved hockey helmet.

It is suggested that you dress warmly and bring mitts/gloves.

The Ontario Sledge Hockey Association has more information

The Therapeutic Riding Association provides physical therapy on horseback to people with special needs in the Thunder Bay area.

Contact: Tereza - terezabiloski@tbaytel.net or thatbarn@aol.com    

Book your lessons or contact Loch Lomond at adaptive@lochlomond.ca 

Cross Country

Contact: Liz Inkila - admin@xcskiontario.ca 

Website: xcskiontario.ca  

Para Nordic/Sitski

Para Nordic is an umbrella term that covers multiple impairments. Athletes with impaired muscle power, limb deficiency, leg length difference, hypertonia, ataxia, impaired passive range of movement, vision impairment and athetosis can all participate in Para Nordic. Many athletes with a disability affecting their lower limbs or gait choose to participate in Para Nordic using a sit ski. Sit-skiing is an accessibility option offered by the Kamview Nordic Trails, call ahead to borrow one - 807-475-7081.

• Sit-skis are made of an ultra-light weight plastic or carbon fibre bucket supported by an aluminium alloy frame.
• This frame clips into a pair of cross country skis.
• Ski poles are shortened to accommodate the seat height and the skier double poles for a cross country ski experience.

Contact: Dave at Kamview - 807-475-7081

T

he Special Olympics Canada Games began in 1974 and are national multi-sport Games for athletes with an intellectual disability. 

At this time there are 18 Special Olympic Sports:

Winter

• Alpine Skiing
• Curling
• Figure Skating
• Floor Hockey
• Nordic Skiing
• Snowshoeing
• Speed Skating

Spring

• 5-Pin Bowling
• 10-Pin Bowling
• Basketball
• Powerlifting
• Rhythmic Gymnastics
• Swimming

Summer

• Athletics
• Bocce
• Golf
• Soccer
• Softball

The Special Olympics Canada Games serve more than 41,000 children, participating in programs run with the support of local sport clubs across 12 provincial and territorial Chapters.

Contact: Rob Neff - carolandrobneff@hotmail.com or Denita Minoletti - dminoletti1@shaw.ca

Check out their Facebook page for more information.

Thunderbolts Swim Club

Contact: Michelle Luu - boltspres@gmail.com 

Tennis Centre

Contact: Jamie Grieve - jgrieve@tbaytel.net 

Sitting Volleyball is volleyball with a lower net played from a seated position. Equipment is housed at Lakehead University and groups can rent it and the space.

Contact: Taryn Klarner - tklarner@lakeheadu.ca or 343-8010 ext 7190

Volt Hockey is played 3-on-3 on a gym-like floor using a powered cart with one-handed controls (joystick). Power carts are provided and no additional equipment is needed. Come tryout the carts for free and see if you'd like to be involved!

Current looking for a venue to host us.

Contact: Mark - mark.koivula@thunderbay.ca 

More information at varietyontario.ca/volthockeycanada

Julia Tribe (Expressive Arts Therapist) offers Creative Path, art therapy for individuals or groups of all ages with a variety of disabilities. Art includes visual art, movement, music, poetic writing etc. 

807-632-3954

julia.tribe@gmail.com 

Provides services to children (infants to 19 years, 21 if in high school) with disabilities. Services include Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Speech and Language Therapy, Social Work, augmentative and alternative communication, behaviour support services and seating and mobility.

807-625-6994

A national charity that serves, connects and empowers people with disabilities.

Todd Kennedy - 807-345-6595 ext 105 

tkennedy@marchofdimes.ca 

Disability products and services.

807-622-1877

thunderbay@motioncares.ca 

Kaelyn McCallum (Music Therapist) offers Tons of Treble, a fun music therapy group for 3-5 year old kids with disabilities with a focus on connecting, musical exploration and growth.

807-629-5754

kaelynmccallummta@gmail.com

Provide a wide range of home medical equipment and services for people with disabilities.

807-623-9110

info@SuperiorHomeHealthCare.ca 

Social Network program runs one evening per week and is an opportunity for individuals with disabilities and their families to enjoy fun and inclusive activities with volunteers from the community. Activities may include karaoke, cheerleading, crafts, baking, and games.

Cost is $4 per visit or $12 per month. 

807-577-0034

info@tbfn.ca